Hoogstraten, Belgium, 5 April 2022 – deSter, leading supplier of innovative food packaging and serviceware concepts for aviation and food service industries, is proud to announce a partnership with Finnair, Iittala, Harri Koskinen and Schönwald which realizes the vision of the new Finnair business class and premium economy tableware, launching in May 2022.
This project is unique as deSter supported Finnair and Iittala to bring an absolute dream to the market – tableware that captures the “coming home” feeling, designed locally in Finland, whilst ensuring functionality when it comes to flying on board of an airplane.
Iittala and Harri Koskinen, who has a long-standing relationship with the tableware brand, translated Finnair’s vision into an impressive design. Schönwald, a German heritage tableware manufacturer, was chosen because of its high quality, sustainable practices with production in Europe and a long-standing relationship with deSter. Overall, material strength & durability, product quality & stackability as well as sustainability were a major focus in the whole project, helping maintain both Finnair and Iittalas’ high standards and deliver a superior concept for Finnair’s elevated long-haul experience.
“In the long-haul Business Class and the new Premium Economy class, dining is an important part of the whole, and we wanted to complement the experience with fresh Nordic design,” says Kristos Mavrostomos, who is responsible for developing the tableware in Finnair’s Inflight CX team.
“We began this Journey with Finnair and Iittala back in 2018 with the launch originally planned for March 2020. Four years and one pandemic later we’re delighted to see the result of all our hard work come to fruition. Working with multiple stakeholders, in this case the airline, partner brand, external designer and our manufacturer, always brings added complexity and flavor to any project. But this partnership worked extremely well and together we’ve delivered a concept that has been received with acclaim, exceeding many expectations”. David Newall, Business Development Director Europe.
The Kuulas range will be used in Finnair’s new Business class and Premium Economy class starting on the 11th of May, including plates, bowls, coffee cups, tumblers, wine glasses and cutlery.
About Harri Koskinen
As Finland’s foremost living designer, Harri Koskinen knows all about the beauty, form and functionality needed to create the very best in Nordic design. His Block lamp has been part of MoMA’s permanent collection since 2000, while his Muu chair won him the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Award in 2004.
Koskinen has also worked with iconic Finnish table and glassware brand Iittala throughout his career, from a scholarship in their glass factory after university in 1996, through to a period as its design director between 2012 and 2016.
More information can be found here: https://www.finnair.com/en/bluewings/travel-experience/harri-koskinen–the-finnish-designer-on-bringing-his-iittala-vision-to-finnair-2525318
Media Inquiries
deSter Communications Team
dester.communications@gategroup.com